System for navigation and editing of electronic records through speech and audio

Abstract

The present invention provides speech and audio user-computer interface mechanisms for accessing and editing information in electronic records. A mechanism is provided by which the user can direct inputs to any of a variety of fields without following a predetermined order of input. This allows the user to be proactive in making entries rather than simply reacting to requirements set by computer-generated prompts. Audio is provided as feedback to the user, not as a fixed path prompt for the user. This feedback can be in the form of non-verbal auditory signals or synthesized speech. The invention uses audio to inform the user of whether or not the system understood the spoken words or phrases as valid inputs to the electronic record, what the system recognized as the input, and to identify the contents of various fields in the electronic record. The precise wording for the speech inputs can be changed from one implementation of the invention to another, depending on what terminology is most meaningful to users, works best with the speech recognition engine being used, etc. Likewise, the audio outputs from the system, both nonverbal sounds and synthesized speech, used in implementing this invention can vary from one application to another.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A speech and audio editing system, comprising: 
       (a) a storage device for storing data records, each data record including at least an identifier and data elements;  
       (b) a user interface device for receiving audible signals representing either a data element to be stored in a data record or an editing command to be performed on a data element in a data record;  
       (c) a processor for performing the steps of:  
       (i) determining that a first audible signal received by the user interface device corresponds to a command for selecting a data record to be active;  
       (ii) selecting a data record whose identifier corresponds to an identifier within a second audible signal received by the user interface device;  
       (iii) editing at least one of the data elements within the selected data record in response to a third audible signal received by the user interface device.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer processor performs an editing command comprising a DELETE function. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer processor performs an editing command comprising a REPLACE function. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device allows multiple data records to be open at any one time. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a speech synthesizer for audibly outputting the contents of a data record to a user. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the editing command comprises instructing the system to audibly output selected data elements of a selected data record. 
     
     
       7. A speech and audio editing process, comprising the steps of: 
       (a) receiving a first speech signal from a user via user interface hardware;  
       (b) selecting a data record for editing in response to said first speech signal;  
       (c) receiving a second speech signal from said user via said user interface hardware; and  
       (d) performing an editing command on a data element in a data record in response to said second speech signal.  
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 7 , wherein the step of performing an editing command comprises executing a DELETE function. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 7 , wherein the step of performing an editing command comprises executing a REPLACE command. 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 7 , and further comprising the step of audibly outputting to the user in response to a third speech signal selected data elements of a selected data record. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 7 , wherein the stop of selecting a data record for editing further comprises selecting data records in a non-sequential fashion.